However, these field-based information sharing organizations each play a unique yet complimentary role in securing the Homeland. Fusion centers lawfully gather, analyze, and share comprehensive crimes, hazards, and terrorism information to inform local, regional, and national threat analysis and prevention efforts. In contrast, JTTFs primarily focus on providing investigative support to open FBI counterterrorism investigations.

Fusion Centers vs. Joint Terrorism Task Forces

Fusion Centers vs. Joint Terrorism Task Forces

Fusion Centers

Joint Terrorism Task Forces

Focus on terrorism, criminal, and public safety matters in support of securing communities and enhancing the national threat picture.

Focus primarily on terrorism and other criminal matters related to various aspects of the counterterrorism mission.

Receive, analyze, gather, produce, and disseminate a broad array of threat-related information and actionable intelligence to appropriate law enforcement and homeland security agencies.

Conduct counter-terrorism investigations and provide information for assessments and intelligence products that are shared, when appropriate, with law enforcement and homeland security agencies.

Owned and operated by state and local authorities and include federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT), and private sector partners from multiple disciplines (including law enforcement, public safety, fire service, emergency response, public health, and critical infrastructure).

Multi-jurisdictional task forces managed by the FBI, and include other federal and SLTT law enforcement partners which together act as an integrated force to combat terrorism on a national and international scale.